My primary
current research is on the ideological dynamics of ‘mass killing’ or
‘atrocities’ – the many horrific forms of lethal violence targeted against
civilians, including but not limited to genocide. My work aims to produce a
general cross-case account of the role of ideology in the mass killing of
civilians, informed by the latest research on both phenomena. At its core, this
theory identifies six recurring ‘justificatory mechanisms’, which describe the
assemblage of processes through which anti-civilian ideologies motivate,
legitimate and/or rationalise violence. I draw on a range of disciplines in
producing this theory, including genocide studies, International Relations,
political theory, political sociology, intellectual history, social psychology
and social epistemology. In my recently completed doctoral thesis, I
substantiated this account through case studies of the Nazi Holocaust,
Stalinist violence in the Soviet Union, Allied aerial bombing in World War Two,
and briefer examination of a number of recent cases of mass killing.

I am now
working on a book on this topic, which further fleshes out my theory of the
ideological dynamics of mass atrocities, adds deeper investigations of recent
cases and terroristic atrocities, and also develops the implications this
theory has for international atrocity/genocide prevention efforts. In parallel,
I am currently working on a number of analyses of the role of ideology and
justification in political violence more generally, and developing approaches
to violence prevention and atrocity prevention orientated around ideology. This
reflects the broader core interest of my research: on the way psychologically
realistic pictures of human thinking can generate advancements in explaining
political conflict.

I have secondary research interests in a number of areas related to this
project: including the broad study of conflict and political violence,
philosophical accounts of evil, international
ethical and political theory, and the sociology of knowledge.

Teaching

I teach Oxford undergraduate students in the following PPE papers: International
Relations, International Relations in the Era of the Cold War, International
Relations in the Era of Two World Wars, Theory of Politics, and Sociological
Theory. I regularly lecture for Oxford’s International Relations papers on the
PPE and History and Politics undergraduate degrees. I supervise graduate
dissertations focused on genocide, political violence, terrorism, civilian
victimization, and the role of ideology in international politics.

I also have
a great interest in communicating my research to non-specialist and
non-academic audiences who desire to understand genocide and other forms of
horrific violence, and in conducting outreach events that help advise and
inform students about applying to Oxford. Anyone interested in asking me to be
involved in events that serve these purposes should contact me at the address
below.

Contact Details

I can be
contacted at jonathan.leadermaynard [at]
politics.ox.ac.uk.

You can also
write to me at Jonathan Leader Maynard, New College, Holywell Street, Oxford,
OX1 3BN.